Left Hand Smoke competes with Hunsaker Smokers and I’ve built three straight up Hunsaker clones with parts from Mark along with a Gateway clone with parts from udsparts.com. I’m using a modified Firebasket with the Vortex deflector in my 85 gallon drum.
Been playing around with the Hunsaker Vortex Firebasket for a few years in some of my other drums as well as the 22” WSM’s and 22” Cajun Bandit conversion and in my current SSP/WSM setup.
I prefer the Drums over the WSM’s any day because I feel they cook moister, seal tighter and aren’t as drafty as the bullets. That said I still have a soft spot for WSM’s.
If you’re new to the WSM’s, I’d really recommend you familiarize yourself with it before jumping on the Vortex Firebasket. They are designed for Hot & Fast cooking and require very little air intake. The Hunsaker drums have one intake on the bottom- 1.5” diameter and they cruise along at 275-300* at 50% intake. A WSM with a out of round door or loose vents will be hard to maintain. Hint hint. Seal it up!
Done many BBQ GURU assisted Low & Slow cooks in the 225-275* range in the bullet and BPS Drum with the Vortex Firebasket and average @11+ hours on a 3/4 full basket of lump.
It’s been a few years but I had Mark build a Vortex without the ash pan holders so it would set on the kettle charcoal grate tabs. It was something that I felt strongly about because I didn’t feel the need for his ash system for my setup. I use a Happy Cooker ash pan in the SSP/WSM. His design may have changed since then?
I don’t have the Hunsaker hinge but it’s similar in design to the floating hinge/exhaust
@Club Chapin you’re more than welcome to come by and see them in action or give me a call if you’re still on the fence.
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Topic: WSM + Hunsaker (Read 2564 times)
